Japanese Friendship Garden

Category: Garden in San Diego, California

Address: 2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Phone: +16192322721

Opening hours

Sunday: 10AM–6PM

Monday: 10AM–6PM

Tuesday: 10AM–6PM

Wednesday: 10AM–6PM

Thursday: 10AM–6PM

Friday: 10AM–6PM

Saturday: 10AM–6PM

Reviews

Yaya M

May 27, 2022

This has quickly become one of my most favorite places in San Diego. The garden is beautiful, serene, and renewing. I am in love with it and hope to continue to visit it over the years. Their membership is very reasonably priced! Definitely a must see place to enjoy quiet time when the rush of daily life overwhelms you.

Kevin Haggerty

May 24, 2022

Well worth the small price of admission. Very nice buildings set in a beautiful environment. The setting slopes down to a gully...getting down is easy, getting up could be exerting for some people. There is a wheel chair path that offers a more gentle slope. I wish they could have labeled some more of the trees and plants. Just a thought.

Nerdy Traveler

May 23, 2022

Very beautiful place to visit and relax. Many beautiful plants from bamboos, banzai plants and many others. Beautiful statues, bridges, zen garden and koi ponds. There's even a little calligraphy house with all kinds of scripture. My fiancee and I visited today and found it very peaceful and everybody visiting seemed very respectful so it was a very relaxing journey through this Japanese friendship garden. There's a little bit of hiking that goes down to the lower garden area but it's nothing that is too strenuous for the majority of people. They do have an ADA sign for paths as well. You can park anywhere in Balboa Park that you typically would when visiting the park and walk over. You can buy tickets where you enter and there's even a tea pavilion on the outside that serves many different teas, a few soups and meals as well. We did not try any of the food but it does look good. Whether you are local or visiting from afar I recommend if you are going to Balboa Park that you do stop by this Japanese friendship garden. It is very beautiful and well-kept.

Heathe M

Jan 18, 2022

This is the first time my friend and I went in to Japanese friendship Garden who is so happy that it is open again after 2 long years. They are doing a lot of building here and making the place even better and more Serene than ever. There will be more waterfalls and hopefully more entertainment if you are a member. The garden is free to locals every third Tuesday otherwise it's $12 for adults, $10 for students and children under 3 is free.

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Questions & Answers

Is there disabled parking near the Japanese friendship Gardens?

miss Peabody | Aug 18, 2018
Destany Davis | Aug 18, 2018

Yes

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What is the price of admission?

A Google User | Aug 17, 2020
Stryker | Aug 17, 2020

It is 12$ a person. Jus went last Saturday

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When are the cherry blossoms in bloom?

Pedro Bautista | Aug 17, 2020
Chloe Turner | Aug 17, 2020

Not until the spring

Hello!!! Would it be possible to take my 15 year old sister to have photo shoot here ? It would be for her quinceañera, her theme is cherry blossom.

Estefany Aguirre | Apr 19, 2022
Michael Palomino | Apr 19, 2022

Yes but they are gone. We went the other day and they weren't there

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Are Strollers allowed in the Gardens?

Tiffany Albert | Mar 20, 2022
John Boreham | Mar 20, 2022

Yes, but some areas are a bit tight as you head down towards the main part of the garden.

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Where's the best place to park?

Hex | Aug 17, 2021
Japanese Friendship Garden | Aug 17, 2021

Organ Pavilion Parking Lot

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How long does it take to go through Japanese friendship garden

Marcie Groom | Aug 18, 2019
Gyan Penrose-Kafka | Aug 18, 2019

It all depends on what your goal is. If you want to see everything and make sure you've seen everything without truly interacting or connecting with your environment you can get through in an hour if you want to stop and look Explorer both your connection to and the world around you, you could be there forever and still never arrived at the end

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Is it pet friendly?

Gary Sanders | Aug 18, 2019
Christina Zakimi | Aug 18, 2019

Thank you for asking. While we do not allow pets, we of course do allow service dogs. For more information on this and other garden etiquette please visit our website at http://www.niwa.org/garden-etiquette

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Are food and drink allowed at the San Diego Japanes Garden?

Melina Bordone | Aug 18, 2019
Greg Hornick | Aug 18, 2019

At the entrance to the garden there is the Tea Pavilion which offers food and beverage, however upon entry to the garden, their site http://www.niwa.org/garden-etiquette/ states "No food is allowed in the Garden. Please seal all food containers when inside the Garden". At times there are festivals and events which serve food and beverage inside the garden itself which may be the exception.

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How much does it cost

Io Hayden | Aug 18, 2019
Gianni Furiosi | Aug 18, 2019

12$ adults

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Where is the best place to park?

Robin Jones | Aug 18, 2018
Jane Ing | Aug 18, 2018

If you want to avoid inside car /people traffic, you could park in Balboa park Administration on Park Blvd n Presidents Way. There where Tram start n end pick up. 1st stop would be Japanese garden

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Did the cherry full bloom yet

paul dyhn | Aug 18, 2018
Aaron Schwartz | Aug 18, 2018

Yes. I am here now and the trees still have blossoms

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Can you pay cash or is it required to buy admission online?

Austin C | May 19, 2022
Rachelle | May 19, 2022

Both and they take card too

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Do you rent wheelchairs or Scooters?

LaTina Harris | Apr 19, 2022
Joyce Mcmicken | Apr 19, 2022

No

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what kind of flowers are in bloom right now? as of 4/3/22.

Junko Lentz | Apr 19, 2022
Ms. Adrei | Apr 19, 2022

Cherry Blossoms

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I know they don't allow dogs, likely to protect the plant life, but does that extend to service dogs?

P.S. Kim | Mar 20, 2022
Craig Porter | Mar 20, 2022

Yes, you are allowed to have service dogs there.

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Do this place have a restaurant or souvenir store inside the park?

Sugey Perez | Feb 18, 2022
Hathor Isis Moon | Feb 18, 2022

Japanese friendship garden has sushi rolls miso soup and teas and a few other snacky itemS and drinks

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There is a private wedding ceremony on Aug 26th, are proof of Covid vaccination and masks going to be required for guests?

Gilberto Galvan | Aug 17, 2021
Gary McIntire | Aug 17, 2021

You should probably have proof of vaccination and have a mask with you wherever you go these days. Take care of yourself and the people around you.

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Is the Japanese friendship garden dog friendly

Ed Wilson | Aug 17, 2021
Lisa Myers | Aug 17, 2021

No I do not believe this park is dog friendly unless its a service dog

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Does the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa park have a place to eat?

Charlotte Weber | Aug 17, 2021
William Fenton | Aug 17, 2021

Yes. There is a Japanese food stand there.

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is the garden fully accessible? is there a map?

Ben Ungs | Aug 17, 2021
Gokul Kalla | Aug 17, 2021

Yes, it is within Balboa Park

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HOW CAN I GET REFUND?

JASON CHOI | Aug 17, 2021
Japanese Friendship Garden | Aug 17, 2021

You can call our main office line at 619.232.2721

Will you be open September 7th?

Mayra Ruiz | Aug 17, 2021
Japanese Friendship Garden | Aug 17, 2021

As of now yes. Our website is always the best place for the latest JFG information. www.niwa.org

Is it Rain or shine?

DOLE MITE | Aug 17, 2020
Japanese Friendship Garden | Aug 17, 2020

Yes, we are open rain or shine. We may close completely or close certain areas if the weather makes any part of the garden grounds unsafe.

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Does it cost to take a walk around and how long is the walk

Leticia Martin | Aug 17, 2020
Jon F | Aug 17, 2020

It costs money to get in and it's as long as you want it to be. There's a little shop and diner inside and all around.

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Is there a place to sit in the garden and enjoy the scenery or have lunch?

Susana Hernandez | Aug 17, 2020
Christina Zakimi | Aug 17, 2020

Hello Susana, There are several benches throughout the garden to sit at and enjoy the view. Also, most days, when we aren't setting up for a wedding, etc. we have a small cafe in the Lower Garden and it has tables and chairs to sit at. They serve tea, boba, sandwiches, rice bowls and a variety of snacks.

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How much is the admission?

洞香春 | Aug 18, 2019
Christina Zakimi | Aug 18, 2019

Thank you for your inquiry. Here are our current prices and a link to our admissions page of our website for more information. $12 - Adults $10 - Students, Seniors (65+), Active Duty and Retired Military (Must show ID) Members - FREE Children (6 and under) - FREE http://www.niwa.org/hours-admission Enjoy your visit!

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Can you have a memorial service at this location

Desiree Oglesby | Aug 18, 2019
Lisa Spence | Aug 18, 2019

We saw staff preparing for a wedding while we were there so I'm sure they would host other events like memorial services.

What is the best time of year to visit? some month in particular?

Marisol cabrera leon | Aug 18, 2019
International “Scout II” Harvester | Aug 18, 2019

Very cloudy in May and June, very hot in September and October but less people. Hotel prices rise a lot in summer. it rains more in winter

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Can you ride a bicycle in the garden?

Jennifer Chartier | Aug 18, 2019
Mark Steele | Aug 18, 2019

No

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Are you allowed to take photos and videos of the garden?

Tina M | Aug 18, 2019
Stephanie Erickson | Aug 18, 2019

Yes, it is encouraged. it's such a beautiful beautiful Garden

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What day/time is free to enter Japeneses garden?

Yen Hansen | Aug 18, 2019
Japanese Friendship Garden | Aug 18, 2019

Hello, We have free admission for San Diego Count residents and military personnel every third Tuesday of the month. More information can be found at balboapark.org/residents-free

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Is it free to visit?

Qais Muasher | Aug 18, 2019
Charlene Porraz | Aug 18, 2019

There is a fee to enter, however on the third Tuesday of the month its free. Check out the Balboa park website and look for free Tuesday museums.

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Is this place dog-friendly?

Ti Fox | Aug 18, 2019
Sayeef Mirza | Aug 18, 2019

Very pristine place, can only walk on sidewalk, no roaming thru the grass and plants out of respect

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How much is the entrance fee?

Thomas Warschauer | Aug 18, 2019
Carla Watson | Aug 18, 2019

Hours and pricing can be found via http://www.niwa.org/hours-admission/

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Last time I walked past it there was construction going on. Does anyone know if construction is still going on?

Hussein Jiwaji | Aug 18, 2019
Yalda Emamian | Aug 18, 2019

I was able to go, 3 weeks ago.

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How long can you park in the lots there?

Vincent L | Aug 18, 2019
Japanese Friendship Garden Private Events | Aug 18, 2019

It depends on where you park, but there are many lots that don't have an hourly limit, just a time frame which is all but a few hours in the middle of the night. So there shouldn't be a problem finding a good spot to park. If it's a particularly crowded day you can park further and use the park's green tram to get around. Here is the link to Balboa Park's parking information. https://www.balboapark.org/plan/parking

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What is the entrance fee?

Dennis Wells | Aug 18, 2018
Sandra Brown | Aug 18, 2018

I have not paid in years! I usually go on Resident Free Tuesdays.

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Are dogs o leash allowed?

Tamara Tomko | Aug 18, 2018
Martha Nicolas | Aug 18, 2018

No

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Is there a entrance fee to see it?

Christy M. | Aug 18, 2018
J Soltero | Aug 18, 2018

$10 - Adults $8 - Students, Seniors (65+) & Active Duty Military (Must show ID) Members - FREE Children (6 and under)  - FREE

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Can you bring drinks?

Anya kochis | Aug 18, 2018
vve_are_138 | Aug 18, 2018

Yes

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any wheelchair for rent ir available to use?

Jackie Shriner | Aug 18, 2018
Destany Davis | Aug 18, 2018

Not that I am aware of.

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Are the cherry blossoms in bloom? ( march 6th? )

Noir ; | Aug 18, 2018
JM Stumpfel | Aug 18, 2018

I hope so...the festival for 2018 is March 9-11. Haven't been there to check for certain. Many plants are 'confused' this year and aren't growing in their usual cycles.

Are leashed dogs allowed in the garden?

Jaris Morrison | Aug 18, 2018
JM Stumpfel | Aug 18, 2018

I'm not 100% certain, but I think I recall seeing a sign that it is only ADA defined & trained assistant animals (Not emotional support, comfort animals or pets). Edit: Just verified with the garden that my answer is correct.

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Are dogs allowed inside the Balboa Park Japanese Friendship Garden?

Martin Seidl | Aug 18, 2018
Haley Garcia | Aug 17, 2020

No, unless it's a service dog. Do not bring your pet otherwise.

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